For Educators

Fish Culture / Science Camp
Selawik, Alaska
September 12-20, 2003

Project Cooperators
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Selawik NWR), NANA Regional Corporation, Native Village of Selawik, , Northwest Arctic Borough School District, and Emma Ramoth (Selawik Resident).

For 5 days during September, 2003, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, NANA Regional Corporation, the Northwest Arctic Borough School District, and the Native Village of Selawik cooperated to sponsor a Fish Culture / Science Camp for the students in Selawik, Alaska. It was a tremendous success and the students had a terrific time!

Due largely to the efforts of Hanna Loon (NANA), Clyde Ramoth (USFWS), and Louis Skin (Selawik School), the students had a wonderful week of outdoor activities related to fisheries resources. Under the direction of Louis and Clyde, the students constructed a fish camp on Emma Ramoth’s native allotment, and learned about traditional fish cutting methods from Hanna Loon. Randy Brown, a fisheries biologist from the Fairbanks Fish & Wildlife Service office, has been conducting research on Whitefish in the area. He was on hand all week collecting fish samples and demonstrating the methods used for fisheries research. Randy collected tissue samples, weighed fish eggs, identified fish parts, and explained to the students about fish spawning, and whitefish biology. Randy was able to share a wealth of knowledge and interesting facts about these fascinating fish.

As part of the Fish Camp experience, students built a frame for a wall tent, constructed a fish drying rack, and harvested fish from gill nets set in the lower Selawik River. Approximately 100 students visited and worked the Fish Camp, arriving by motorboat in groups of ten to twenty each day. Hanna and Louis prepared traditional lunches of boiled fish (including the eggs!) to keep up the energy of all the participants. Students also had the opportunity to pick berries while at Fish Camp. Berry picking (cranberries, crowberries, and blueberries) is another traditional activity that is enjoyed by youngsters and elders alike!

The outdoor setting and the enthusiasm of the kids and adults made this Fish Culture / Science Camp a wonderful success! The hands-on experience from this camp was one of the highlights of the 2003/2004 school year. The project leaders are discussing future outdoor camps and planning a similar Fish Camp for September 2004. These types of activities encourage students to learn about both their cultural heritage, and the science of wildlife and natural resource management.

The Selawik Refuge is in the process of reviewing and improving its educational materials. Please contact refuge Headquarters for current information about educational programs and materials or visit the Alaska Geographic online bookstore.

Last updated: July 23, 2008